Military Executions

[BettyO]

A while back we discussed the fact that drummers played at the hanging. I've found some other information regarding the playing of "The Rogue's March" - which was played when men were drummed out of camp as well as being played at military executions.

Since it was stated that drummers played what has simply been called "a cadence" - no explanation of what the cadence was during the march to the gallows, one wonders if this was the Rogue's March. It is a simple drum cadence which is supposedly "easy" for students and young drummers to play. The Rogue's March is an old one, dating from before the American Revolution.

I also found that Robert Cobb Kennedy, hanged for burning Barnum's Museum as well as instigated in the NY hotel burning plot, had the Episcopal "Sermon for the Condemned" read to him on the gallows. More or less, one wonders if both Herold and Powell had this read to them in the death cell. Herold was Episcopal and Powell had affiliations with Reverend Stryker, an Episcopal minister. Just my thoughts. I'm continuing to search for a good drums only cadence of The Rogue's March - and will post here.

[Rsmyth]

Currently the Barnum Museum has a relic from the assassination. A wooden frame containing wallpaper and lace curtain from the Pres. box and a piece of what is claimed to be Lincoln's necktie. It is one of many items donated to the Bridgeport Scientific Society - one of the predecessors to the current Barnum Museum by returning Civil War servicemen.

[Gene C]

A cheery tune for such a somber event

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qulr6vigPOo

[L Verge]

Somehow, I just can't imagine that the cheery little fife was used at actual executions and funerals. Does anyone know if The Rogue's March drum cadence was used at either Lincoln's or Kennedy's funeral procession?

[BettyO]

It was stated that they played "The Rogue's March" for drumming men out of camp (as in the old TV Western, Branded - Remember that one?)

It was supposed to be a song of disgrace - not one of honor - so I doubt that they played it at a President's funeral.

Here are the words to the "Rogue's March":

It's purely British and dates from the 18th Century -

Rogue's March

Melody - Drum tune

I left my home and I left my job
Went and joined the army
If I knew then what I know now
I wouldn't have been so barmy.

cho: Poor old soldier, poor old soldier
If I knew then what I know now
I wouldn't have been so barmy.

2. Gave me a gun and a big red coat
Gave me lots of drilling
If I knew then what I know now
I wouldn't have took the shilling.

3. Sent me off on a real old boat
By Christ she was no beauty
Far far across the sea we went
Afore to do my duty


4. Fought the Russians, or was it the French
Really couldn't tell, sir
All I know is they fought so hard
They sent us all to hell, sir.
Chorus:

5. When we got back home again
To desert was my intent, sir
I sold my cot and I sold my coat
And over the wall I went, sir.
Chorus:

6. Went to a tavern and I got drunk
That is where they found me
Back to barracks in chains I was sent
And there they did impound me.


7. Fifty I got for selling me coat
Fifty for me blankets
If ever I 'list for a soldier again
The devil shall be me sergeant.

I've also read where they would escort the condemned to the firing squad or gallows with a group composed of guards with reversed rifles and in some instances also played "The Death March from Saul" - which IS played at military and state funerals.

Here is that particular march - played by a Civil War era reproduction band.

http://cokemp3.org/v/gol9tdK5J8g/Federal...11-17-2012

There is no record that none other than drums were played at the conspirators' execution.

[LincolnToddFan]

(02-01-2014 08:41 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Somehow, I just can't imagine that the cheery little fife was used at actual executions and funerals. Does anyone know if The Rogue's March drum cadence was used at either Lincoln's or Kennedy's funeral procession?

Hi Laurie, I watched the four day re-broadcast of the JFK funeral online for the 50th anniversary last November. CBS did a livestream. I was three at the assassination and my memories of that weekend are disjointed and hazy. My mom and grandmother weeping, the roll of drums, clip clopping of horses hooves, chanting of the Latin Requiem Mass. I have always wanted to try and experience that weekend from adult eyes, so I remained glued to my computer from Nov 22 to Nov24th.

I don't remember hearing the Rogue's March for JFK's procession when I watched the livestream rebroadcast. But there was definitely John Brown's Body and Onward Christian Soldiers, both which were also played during Lincoln's procession. Mrs. Kennedy reportedly wanted her husband's funeral modeled on Lincoln's as closely as possible.

Now I understand why everyone who remembers the weekend Nov22 1963 can't forget it. It was the most stirring, haunting funeral pageant I've ever seen. I would have never guessed that we Americans could pull off something so...majestic.

[LincolnMan]

And what is the meaning of "barmy?" Lol. Don't hear that word everyday.

[LincolnToddFan]

Isn't it British slang for "nuts", or "looney"?

[BettyO]

Quote:RE: Military Executions
Isn't it British slang for "nuts", or "looney"?

Yes....

[NHjohn]

If a regimental brass band or brigade brass band was present at the execution, the band played "The Dead March," usually, Handel's Dead March in Saul. There are a dozen "Dead March" tunes around, but Handel's was the most popular. The funeral procession, with the convicted marched to the spot of execution, and usually the regiment of the accused formed "the hollow square." Troops lined up forming three sides of a box, with the convicted on the open side, dug grave behind him, firing squad in front. The officer-in-charge reads the sentence and the firing squad shoots, and the procession marches off with the band playing a jaunty tune, usually, "The Girl I left Behind Me." If the convicted was a civilian and executed by military forces, hanging was the order of the day. Dr. Wright is the prime example. From the regimental history of the 13th New Hampshire Volunteers:
Oct. 22. Thurs. Pleasant. Reg. improving the defenses. One Dr. Wright of Portsmouth, Va., is to be hanged for killing Lieutenant Sanborn of the Union Army; deliberately shot the Lieutenant while he was drilling negro troops in front of this Doctor’s office.
Oct. 27. Tues. Very Cold. Reg. in camp. “At the funeral of Lieut. Sanborn, who was shot by Dr. Wright, all the negro troops in the department were in line. They could not get enough of the marching and the music, and our Thirteenth Band played the ‘Dead March in Saul’ through nineteen times consecutively. CHAS. W. WASHBURN, Band."
Bvt. Maj. Gen. John Hartranft was appointed "Special Provost Marshal," for the trial of the Lincoln assassination conspirators, where he was responsible for the custody of the prisoners and the execution of four of those convicted." However, I believe his duties encompassed more than being in charge of the prison facility and had a dozen (plus) regiments at his disposal in the area around the prison. In addition, Hartranft had been commander, 3rd Division, 9th Army Corps, with a brevet rank of Major General (two star). As such he had at least 4 brigades under his immediate command, and "special provost" only temporarily assigned him to duties other than field command. In my quick research, he had three official brigade bands in his division and at least one regimental band made from privates. I'm going to try to figure this out, I just thought, after reading the intricate detail you folks post on Lincoln somebody might know off the top of their head.

[LincolnMan]

Why would there be an upbeat tune played after the execution? Seems odd to my 21st century mind...

[NHjohn]

(06-23-2014 02:10 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Why would there be an upbeat tune played after the execution? Seems odd to my 21st century mind...

I've not found a specific explanation, but in the various writings I've read, the execution ceremony was a way to send the message to the troops. Do not desert. Do not run. Do not commit murder, rape or this will happen to you. Then, over is over. Sentenced carried out. Back to your duties. A way of making that clear separation was a jaunty tune. When volunteer regiments went off to war, "The Girl I Left Behind Me," was THE standard tune played by the regimental band as the steamer or train pulled away from dock or depot.

[LincolnMan]

Clearly demarking that the end of the thing has occurred makes sense to me. Thanks for the details given surrounding the whole event.

[NHjohn]

(06-23-2014 02:57 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Clearly demarking that the end of the thing has occurred makes sense to me. Thanks for the details given surrounding the whole event.

And the purpose of me asking about a brass band at THE executions was, when a lowly private was executed for desertion, or citizen hung for murdering a soldier, there are countless documented instances of a regimental brass band involved in a ceremony, on the battlefield. I find it difficult to believe that THE execution of the war was not attended by one or more regimental brass bands, when the venue was in Washington, D.C., covered by newspaper reports, photographers, a thousand soldiers and spectators.

[Gene C]

NHjohn, makes sense, but I don't remember seeing any sign of a band or musicians in the photo's taken at the conspirators hanging.